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Another wonderful year is about to
come to an end. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the brethren, and my family, for
their support of Cherrydale Lodge, its appendant bodies, along with the charity and brotherly love that
has been displayed throughout the year. I would be remiss not to thank Worshipful John Frank, Right
Worshipful Don Strehle, Worshipful Travis Hilliard, Brother John Clair; and Brothers Chris Haught,
Justin McGovern, Gilberto Rosado, Drew Lemberg, Brother Dipp, for their outstanding teamwork throughout
the year. Whether it was degrees, contacting prospective members, cooking and serving the meals, going
to other area lodge meetings or youth events, everyone stepped up and did what they could to provide
leadership on behalf of Cherrydale. Please forgive me if I have left someone out. We have many
outstanding brethren at Cherrydale.
Our guest speakers truly provided us with a breadth and depth of masonry with much
education and enjoyment. How grateful we all are to have had such a diverse group of Masonic speakers in
our midst. We were also blessed with the brotherhood of the fellow 54th Masonic District Brethren who
supported our degree teams throughout the year.
As I dedicated this year to my father-in-law, Worshipful Hassan Kiser, Past Master of
Cherrydale, I am especially thankful that I have been able to confer upon Jeremiah, Hassan’s oldest
grandson, his Entered Apprentice degree. Brother Hassan enjoyed Cherrydale, its friendship and memories
he held close to his heart. Often he would talk about freemasonry and the lasting impressions it had on
him throughout his adult life. Hassan was truly a man I looked up to from the time I met him, and not
just because he was six inches taller than I! He was humorous much of the time, and always put in to
practice the principles we are taught in freemasonry. It was with Hassan’s inspiration that I
contemplated joining freemasonry. I am grateful for the friendship we had the short time I knew him. In
his last years, Hassan went to lodge with his son “Pete” Kiser, who is Past Master of Seaside Lodge in
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was Pete’s lodge who performed Worshipful Hassan’s Masonic Funeral
Service in January of 2002.
We have enjoyed visits by brethren from around the world, and hope that during the
next year, we will continue to increase our membership coupled with the visitors who find Cherrydale
Lodge as a home away from home amongst their brethren. I enjoyed raising the DeMolay who I have seen
grow into fine young men, and I am sure will continue on the path to enlightenment.
The joint communication with Andrew Jackson Lodge at the George Washington Masonic
National Memorial went very well. Most Worshipful Stewart Wilson Miner received his 50 year pin by the
Grand Master. Our stewards along with Andrew Jackson’s did an excellent job with the meal prior to the
meeting.
The last 54th Masonic District’s Blood Drive at Arlington - Centennial Glebe Lodge on
November 17th, was well attended.
We will be delivering to our widow’s holiday poinsettias in December.
In follow up to Youth Night, we served refreshments for the Job’s Daughters at their
November 20th meeting, and served for the Fairfax Rainbow Assembly at their Movie Night on November
30th. We are having a Game Night with the DeMolay, on Saturday December 15th 7-10pm at Kemper-Macon Ware
Lodge at 411 Little Falls Street in Falls Church. The DeMolay have decided to also auction themselves
off at the game night/holiday party to support the Homeless Shelter in Falls Church. Bethel 1’s
installation will be held on Sunday, December 16th at 5 o’clock in the evening at Arlington -Centennial
Glebe Lodge at 1 S. George Mason Drive in Arlington just off of Route 50. This is an open youth event
that I hope you will be able to attend. The incoming Honored Queen, Elena Barker has as her theme an
International format. Thank you for supporting the youth.
Our first December meeting will be closing the Lodge of Sorrow with election of
officers, and on the following Friday, December 14th, holding an open installation of officers. Most
Worshipful Stewart Wilson Miner will be the Installing Officer, with light refreshments served by Unity
Chapter #201 Order of the Eastern Star after installation. If it is within the length of your cable tow,
please attend installation. There will not be a second stated meeting in December.
For my final offering, in this trestle board I have included this for you to consider:
HOW DOES FREEMASONRY ADD VALUE TO OUR LIVES?
Undoubtedly, the most visible benefit
associated with Freemasonry is the friendship, morality, and brotherly love we learn simply by attending
Lodge and interacting with the members. It is not unusual for Freemasons to develop lifelong friendships
and bonds with other Masons. This should not be surprising as the fraternity represents a society
consisting of men with common interests, and such commonality is comforting to us all.
Aside from this, how does Freemasonry add value to our lives? Frankly, there are
several subliminal ways we are affected personally and professionally by our participation in the
fraternity, some examples:
· Socialization Skills - through the structured decorum of our formal meetings and the
informality of others, we learn to respect, cooperate, participate and network with people. In other
words, it influences our behavior in terms of how we interact with our neighbors, friends, coworkers,
customers and vendors. This tends to make us more socially adjusted and proactive in our communities and
companies.
· Speaking and Memorization Skills - our catechisms and degree work, although trying at times,
helps sharpen our brains as well as our tongues. Although our terminology may seem somewhat archaic, it
is useful for improving one's vocabulary. Further, returning catechisms, and delivering degrees and
lectures helps overcome the human fear of audiences and materially assists in making us better public
speakers, something that is particularly needed in our professional lives regardless of our occupation.
· Dress - Again, because of the decorum of our meetings, we learn the value of dressing
appropriately to cultivate a positive image. I have met several Brothers who have cleaned up their act
simply by their association with the fraternity, thereby turning a slovenly image into one that is more
positive and professional.
· Organization & Leadership - For those members who become Lodge officers, it is not uncommon to
learn basic organization and leadership skills, such as: planning and scheduling, managing records and
finances, building maintenance, communications and persuasion, etc. All of this is useful to us in both
our personal and professional lives.
· History - as the world's oldest fraternal organization, we impress the need for customs and
traditions on all of our members. But beyond this, many Masons become fascinated with our history and
learn to research and write on a variety of subjects related to the fraternity. Masons, therefore,
appreciate the lessons of history and develop effective writing skills which also help us in the outside
world.
· Volunteerism - our philanthropy is legendary and it is impressed on every Mason to help others
as generously as their ability permits. Aside from the moneys we donate, Masons learn to volunteer their
time to assist others, knowing if they help another, they may expect assistance from others in return.
This concept alone is in sharp contrast to today's "dog-eat-dog" corporate culture. Basically, Masons
learn a little kindness can go a long way.
· Negotiation Skills - in order to persuade people to move in a specific direction, Lodge
officers must learn how to negotiate with others. Such skills are vital not only in our professional
lives but also in our personal lives as well.
Sociologists who have studied Freemasonry have admitted that Freemasonry "takes a
good man and makes him better." No, the fraternity is not intended to teach us business skills, but
surprisingly it does nevertheless. Nor do I believe anyone joins the fraternity for this purpose.
Regardless, these are some of the subliminal perks associated with the fraternity which does, in fact,
add value to our lives as well as others we come in contact with.
Support our incoming officers for the ensuing year at Cherrydale Lodge. I look
forward in continuing to assist Cherrydale in maintaining a vital component to the 54th District and
Virginia Freemasonry at large. Know that what you say and do makes a difference in someone’s life,
whether it’s your family, brethren, or a stranger on the street. Thank you for the opportunity to serve
as the Worshipful Master of Cherrydale Masonic Lodge # 42 A.F. & A.M. I wish you safe travels over the
holiday season.
See you in Lodge Brother!
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